Patjarr Community, also known by the Indigenous names Karilywara or Karilwara, is a remote Aboriginal settlement located in the western part of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands in Western Australia. It lies in the Goldfields‑Esperance region, near the Clutterbuck Hills between Lake Cobb and Lake Newell, approximately 243 kilometres (150 mi) by road northwest of Warburton and about 550 kilometres (340 mi) northeast of Laverton. The community is situated on the edge of the Gibson Desert and is administered under postcode 0872.
Geography
Patjarr occupies a sparsely populated arid landscape characterised by low, scrubby vegetation and proximity to several seasonal salt lakes. The settlement is accessible primarily by unsealed road, with the nearest major centre, Warburton, providing limited services and transport links.
History
Patjarr was established in the late 1980s as part of the broader Aboriginal homeland movement, which encouraged Indigenous groups to return to traditional lands after periods of relocation to missions and settlements. The community was formally recognised as an outstation of Warburton in 1992. Its founders are primarily members of the Yarnangu (also spelled Yarrngany) group of the Ngaanyatjarra people, who sought to re‑establish a presence on their ancestral country.
Demographics
According to the 2011 Australian Census, Patjarr had a population of 41 residents, all identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. More recent population figures have not been published in national census data, but the community remains one of the smallest and most isolated settlements in the state.
Governance and Services
Patjarr is incorporated as an autonomous Aboriginal community under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 and is a member of the Ngaanyatjarra Council, which provides regional coordination of health, education, and infrastructure services. The community maintains a small administrative office and an advisory council that liaises with the Western Australian Government.
Recent developments include a $1.17 million grant from the Lotterywest Western Australia Fund, announced in 2023, to upgrade essential services and infrastructure such as water, power, and communications.
Culture and Economy
Cultural life in Patjarr centres on the preservation of Ngaanyatjarra language, art, and traditional practices. The community is home to the Kayili Artists art centre, which supports local artists in the production and sale of contemporary Aboriginal artworks, contributing to both cultural continuity and modest economic activity.
References
- Wikipedia entry “Patjarr Community”.
- Ngaanyatjarra Council website – community profile.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011 Census data.
- National Indigenous Times, 2023 announcement of infrastructure grant.